TashiCell Speed Test - Bhutan Mobile

TashiCell is Bhutan's privately-owned mobile operator with approximately 350,000 subscribers representing 40% market share. A subsidiary of the Tashi Group conglomerate, TashiCell became the first operator to commercially launch 5G in Bhutan on December 15, 2021 with coverage in Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing.

About TashiCell

TashiCell launched in 2008 as Bhutan's second mobile operator under Tashi InfoComm Private Limited, part of the Tashi Group of Companies. The operator broke the monopoly of state-owned Bhutan Telecom and introduced competitive pricing.

TashiCell achieved nationwide 2G coverage in August 2012 and 4G coverage across all 20 dzongkhag headquarters by December 2018. The company pioneered 5G in Bhutan with commercial service in 2021, reaching 18 of 20 dzongkhags by 2023 with over 500 active 5G users.

TashiCell Plans and Services

TashiCell offers several internet plans across different technologies and price points.

TashiCell offers prepaid and postpaid mobile data plans with flexible durations from daily to quarterly packages. Prepaid 5 GB packages cost BTN 245 monthly, 15 GB at BTN 645, and unlimited data at BTN 1,350 monthly with a BTN 5,000 one-time setup fee.

Fiber-to-the-home service is available in Thimphu and major towns with 10 Mbps Internet Leased Line at BTN 8,700 monthly. 5G mobile data plans offer higher speeds in covered areas at standard data rates with no extra 5G charges. TashiCell also provides prepaid call rates and roaming packages for international travelers.

TashiCell Internet Plans

Plan	Speed	Price	Features
Prepaid 5GB mobile	4G LTE	BTN 245/month	5 GB data valid for 30 days 4G LTE speeds Prepaid flexibility Top-up at retail shops
Prepaid 15GB mobile	4G LTE	BTN 645/month	15 GB data valid for 30 days 4G LTE speeds Suitable for regular internet use No contract required
Unlimited Data mobile	4G/5G	BTN 1,350/month	Unlimited mobile data 4G and 5G access where available One-time setup fee of BTN 5,000 No daily data cap
Fiber Broadband 10 Mbps fiber	10 Mbps	BTN 8,700/month	10 Mbps Internet Leased Line Available in Thimphu and major towns FTTH connection Dedicated bandwidth

Prices and availability may vary by location. Contact TashiCell for current offers.

TashiCell Coverage by Region

TashiCell performance varies by location. Coverage density, local infrastructure, and network congestion affect speeds in each market.

Thimphu (Capital)

Coverage: Full 5G and 4G LTE coverage with fiber-to-the-home available Typical: 5G speeds in covered areas. 20-40 Mbps on 4G. 100-500 Mbps on fiber Peak congestion: Moderate during evening hours

TashiCell's strongest market with 5G, 4G, and fiber all available

Phuentsholing, Paro, Major Towns

Coverage: 5G in dzongkhag headquarters. Strong 4G coverage Typical: 5G where available. 15-30 Mbps on 4G Peak congestion: Low to moderate

5G coverage in 18 of 20 dzongkhags at headquarters

Rural Gewogs and Mountain Areas

Coverage: 4G where towers exist. 2G and 3G in remote areas Typical: 5-15 Mbps on 4G. 1-3 Mbps on 3G Peak congestion: Variable based on tower availability

Coverage thins in valleys and mountainous terrain. Bhutan Telecom may offer better rural reach

Is TashiCell Right for You?

Every provider has trade-offs. Here is how TashiCell performs based on real-world usage and customer feedback.

Strengths

First 5G operator in Bhutan, launched December 15, 2021
5G available in 18 of 20 dzongkhags with no extra charges
Competitive data pricing with unlimited plan at BTN 1,350/month
Youth-oriented marketing targeting younger demographics
Fiber-to-the-home in urban areas
Over 600 network towers covering urban and rural areas

Weaknesses

Smaller market share at 40% versus Bhutan Telecom's 60%
Internet Leased Line at BTN 8,700/month more expensive than Bhutan Telecom's BTN 5,500
Rural coverage less extensive than state-owned Bhutan Telecom
5G device availability limited among Bhutanese consumers
Competition from Starlink satellite at BTN 4,200/month

Best For

Users wanting 5G access at standard mobile data rates
Youth and young professionals seeking competitive data pricing
Urban users in Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing
Customers wanting private-sector service quality

Not Ideal For

Users in the most remote villages where Bhutan Telecom has better coverage
Fixed broadband users seeking the cheapest leased line pricing
Users in Lhuentse or Gasa dzongkhags where TashiCell 5G is unavailable
Budget users who find Starlink competitive at BTN 4,200/month for higher speeds

How TashiCell Compares

Side-by-side comparison of TashiCell against major competitors in Bhutan.

Competitor	Speed	Price	Coverage	Verdict
Bhutan Telecom	Both offer similar 4G speeds. TashiCell pioneered 5G with commercial service since 2021.	TashiCell unlimited data at BTN 1,350/month. Bhutan Telecom leased line at BTN 5,500 for 10 Mbps versus TashiCell BTN 8,700.	Bhutan Telecom at 60% market share covers more rural areas. Both have 600+ towers.	Choose TashiCell for 5G access and competitive mobile data. Choose Bhutan Telecom for widest rural coverage.
Starlink	Starlink delivers 25-110 Mbps. TashiCell 5G delivers comparable speeds where available.	Starlink at BTN 4,200/month. TashiCell unlimited at BTN 1,350/month. TashiCell is cheaper for mobile data.	Starlink works anywhere with clear sky. TashiCell limited to tower coverage areas.	Choose TashiCell for affordable mobile data. Choose Starlink for remote areas without tower coverage.

Troubleshooting TashiCell Issues

Common TashiCell connection problems and how to fix them.

TashiCell mobile speeds slower than expected

Cause: Distance from tower, peak congestion, building materials blocking signal, or 3G fallback.

Check if your phone shows 5G, 4G, or 3G in the status bar
Move to a window or outdoor location for better reception
Toggle airplane mode to force reconnection to a stronger tower
Restart your phone to clear network issues
Verify your 5G device is compatible with TashiCell's frequencies

TashiCell signal not available in your area

Cause: You may be in a remote area, deep valley, or building without nearby tower coverage.

Check TashiCell's coverage map on their website for your location
Move to higher ground or a nearby town center for signal
Consider Bhutan Telecom if they have stronger coverage in your area
Contact TashiCell to report coverage gaps

TashiCell History

Key milestones in TashiCell development and network expansion.

2008

TashiCell launched as Bhutan's second mobile operator under Tashi InfoComm Private Limited

2012

Achieved nationwide 2G coverage across all 20 dzongkhags in August

2016

Launched 4G LTE service in western Bhutan

2018

Achieved 4G coverage in all 20 dzongkhag headquarters by December

2021

Launched Bhutan's first commercial 5G service on December 15 in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing

Test Your TashiCell Speed

Run a free speed test to check if TashiCell delivers the speeds you are paying for. Test during peak evening hours for the most realistic results. Compare your results against TashiCell advertised speeds above.

TashiCell Speed Test FAQ

Is TashiCell 5G available in Bhutan?

TashiCell launched Bhutan's first commercial 5G service on December 15, 2021 in Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing. By 2023, 5G coverage expanded to 18 of 20 dzongkhags with over 500 active users. TashiCell charges no extra fees for 5G access, making it available at standard mobile data rates to customers with compatible devices. 5G is currently unavailable in Lhuentse and Gasa dzongkhags. Industry observers expect full coverage by 2025 to 2027. Device ownership remains a barrier with limited 5G-compatible handsets available in Bhutan.

How does TashiCell compare to Bhutan Telecom?

TashiCell holds 40% market share with 350,000 subscribers versus Bhutan Telecom's 60% with 500,000 subscribers. TashiCell launched 5G first in December 2021, while Bhutan Telecom followed later. Both operators built over 600 network towers with 4G reaching 98.63% of the country. TashiCell's unlimited data plan costs BTN 1,350 monthly. Bhutan Telecom charges BTN 5,500 for 10 Mbps leased line while TashiCell charges BTN 8,700 for the same speed. Choose TashiCell for 5G access and competitive mobile data pricing. Choose Bhutan Telecom for wider rural coverage through government-backed infrastructure.

How much does TashiCell cost per month?

TashiCell prepaid plans start at BTN 245 per month for 5 GB of data. A 15 GB package costs BTN 645 monthly. The unlimited data plan runs BTN 1,350 per month with a one-time setup fee of BTN 5,000. Fiber broadband Internet Leased Line costs BTN 8,700 monthly for 10 Mbps, available in Thimphu and major towns. 5G access is included at standard data rates with no additional charges. TashiCell also offers daily and weekly data bundles for lighter users. Mobile data costs approximately BTN 59 per GB, among the lowest rates in Asia though higher than neighboring India.